Scaredy Cat

Executive Member Joined: Feb 12 2007 Posts: 299

My 2 year old ds is going through this stage where he is afraid of everything - literally. I am at my wits' end. How do I get him to understand that he doesn't need to be afraid of the toilet flushing, the dryer working or the sink running?!

Executive Member Joined: Aug 05 2007 Posts: 342

I have never heard of these fears, but my 2year old runs to me when the bell rings, I understand cuz she has no idea whos coming, and she's also afraid of the bath when I wash her hair.

let the sink run for a while, show him that its fun 2 play with the water, show him that he can touch the water. but I really doubt any of that will help; its a passing phase, and time is all you need for it to pass.
_________________
"When you aim for perfection, you discover it's a moving target."

Posted: Sun, Mar 23 2008, 3:00 am Post subject: re: Scaredy Cat

you can't "explain" things to a 2-yr-old. Just be loving and understanding and he's outgrow it.
If you come on too forceful, it can strengthen the fear.
_________________
Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. (I haven't finished growing up yet; I'm still a work in progress - until 120!)

Posted: Sun, Mar 23 2008, 4:20 am Post subject:

its totally a faze my daughter is scared of bubbles in the bath the vacum cleaner, snow and many other things but im hoping she will grow out of it meanwhile I try to introduce her slowly to them

Posted: Sun, Mar 23 2008, 8:20 pm Post subject:

my son was the biggest scaredy cat
BH not of the toilet flushing, but of the vaccuum, and mainly new surroundings like snow, sand, ocean, swimming pool, ball pit etc

these were generally not every day things so for him I think it was the unfamiliar that scared him but
it really frustrated me n DH cos if we were on vacation n he didnt want to go in the pool, step on the sand, look at the sea etc but BH a year later he has so much more confidence.

so I think its partly a phase an partly us introducing him to these new situations / objects slowly an in a way that he felt secure.

Like in the indoor play-gym place at first he wudnt get anywhere near the toys, so I just sat with him in the balls until he was happy to play there by himself or with a friend, then I wud encourage him 2 go with me up the ladders n down the slides an now BH he is happy to go up n down on his own.

But I also think he might always be a child who is more cautious persoanlity than others, like u see those kids hurtling down the tallest slides at 1 and a half an u see ur kid double his size barely touching the see-saw...

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48141

I was a horribly shy kid. blossomed aftger high school and listen to me now !!!!!

Platinum Member Joined: May 16 2005 Posts: 6262

I dont think u need to teach him not to be afraid of things. we all have different feelings and fears. we all want to feel loved the way we are.

the only thing that can help is him feeling validated. if he tells u he is scared saying something like, is that scary for you?? or I can see that scares you here let me give you a hug... is the only thing that can help because then hell realize u care bout his real feelings and understand him and when he is ready he can come to realize on his own that he doesnt need to be afaid. noone listens when they are told how to feel because it doesnt help the feeling go away. kids adults, we are all the same.